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Mechanical Engineer

Upton, NY · On-site

$100.60K - $146.98K/yr

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive.

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How much do national laboratory jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for national laboratory in the United States is $22.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive at a National Laboratory, and why are they important?

To thrive at a National Laboratory, you generally need advanced education in a STEM field, strong research skills, and relevant laboratory experience. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software, and adherence to safety protocols is typically required, along with certifications depending on the research area. Critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication are essential soft skills for excelling in multidisciplinary teams and sharing complex findings. These skills ensure high-quality research, innovation, and compliance with rigorous scientific and safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced when working at a national laboratory, and how can new employees overcome them?

Working at a national laboratory often involves navigating complex, multidisciplinary projects and collaborating with experts from various scientific and technical backgrounds. New employees may initially find the scale and pace of research, as well as the regulatory and safety requirements, to be challenging. To overcome these hurdles, it’s helpful to proactively seek mentorship, participate in team meetings, and take advantage of training resources provided by the lab. Building strong communication skills and a willingness to learn from colleagues can also greatly ease the transition and contribute to success in this environment.

What is a National Laboratory?

A National Laboratory is a government-funded research facility dedicated to scientific and technological research in areas crucial to national interests, such as energy, security, and the environment. In the United States, National Laboratories are primarily managed by the Department of Energy and are staffed by scientists, engineers, and other professionals. These labs conduct advanced research, develop new technologies, and support public and private sector innovation. They often collaborate with universities, industry, and other government agencies to address complex scientific challenges.
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What cities are hiring for National Laboratory jobs? Cities with the most National Laboratory job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Laboratory jobs? The most popular types of Laboratory jobs are:
What states have the most National Laboratory jobs? States with the most job openings for National Laboratory jobs include:
Infographic showing various National Laboratory job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 14% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,864 per year, or $22.5 per hour.
Mass Spectrometry Laboratory Research Technologist 1

Mass Spectrometry Laboratory Research Technologist 1

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Los Alamos National Laboratory rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 32 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 103 rated laboratories


Job description

What You Will Do
The Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) Group within Chemistry Division is looking for a Research Technologist to join the Mass Spectrometry team. The position serves the Laboratory's core national security mission areas of weapons science and threat reduction.
The successful applicant will perform analytical chemistry separations and analysis for the characterization of actinide materials. The work involves hands-on processing and subsequent analysis of actinide materials using multi-collector instrumentation. The successful candidate should be familiar with chemical laboratory operations.
Research Technologist 1
  • Perform analytical chemistry techniques: i.e. reagent preparation, sample handling, actinide separations
  • Operate TIMS/ICPMS instruments
  • Ability to work in gloveboxes and hoods with radioactive materials in a nuclear facility
  • Follow approved written procedures and guidelines
  • Communicate effectively with a wide range of personnel from varying fields and with different levels of technical training
  • Work in a team environment
  • Work to QA/QC methods and protocols
  • Provide high quality analytical chemistry results

What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Knowledge of and experience with TIMS and/or ICPMS measurement techniques or sample preparation
  • Experience working in a laboratory environment
  • Willingness and capability to perform hands-on operations with nuclear material
  • Demonstrated work experience in a team environment while exhibiting collaborative behavior
  • Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which usually requires US citizenship

Education/Experience:
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
DOE Order 426.2a: Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience or specialized training for working with radioactive or nuclear materials in an open front hood or glovebox
  • Advanced knowledge and experience in radiological contamination monitoring and control
  • Demonstrated ability to follow formal standard operating procedures under conduct of operations
  • Experience in procurement, assembly, and troubleshooting instrumentation
  • Experience working with TIMS, MC-ICP-MS, or Gas Mass Spectrometer
  • Experience supporting or performing laboratory activities including research, development, sample preparation or sample analysis
  • Active Q clearance

Work Environment:
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.
Note to Applicants:
Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications. Please also provide your current contact information.
While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grown into the full salary band over time.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
§ Dental and vision insurance
§ Free basic life and disability insurance
§ Paid childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
426.2A: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2A, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.

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